
2.
As Paul and Barnabas could not agree in this matter, what did they
f
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decide to do? Where did each go? Whom did each take with him? Verses
39-41.
NorE.—In Acts 13:13, we are told that Mark left Paul and Barnabas in
tgamuus and returned to Jerusalem. "This desertion caused Paul to judge Mark
unfavorably, and even severely, for a time. Barnabas, on the other hand, was
inclined to excuse him because of his inexperience. He felt anxious that Mark
should not abandon the ministry, for he saw in him qualifications that would
fit him to be a useful worker for Christ. . . . Paul was afterward reconciled
to Mark, and received him as a fellow laborer."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 170.
The influence of Barnabas in the work of the early church is very often
overlooked in the more outstanding figure, the apostle Paul. It was he who
presented Paul to the apostles, who brought Paul out of seclusion at Antioch
and started him toward leadership, who saved John Mark for a life of valuable
Christian ministry. He seems to have had a genius for understanding people
and, while perhaps not so eloquent or intellectual as Paul or Peter, was one
of the most helpful leaders in the early Christian church.
3.
What cities did Paul revisit? What young man did Paul find at
Lystra? What is said of Timothy's parents? Acts 16:1.
NOTE.—"Timothy or Timotheus, in the Bible (Acts 16:1; 17:14, etc.), a
Lycaonian, the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother, Eunice (2 Tim.
1:5), was born at Lystra, and was already a member of the Christian church
there at the time of Paul's second visit. He took the place formerly occupied
by John Mark in Paul's company, and in deference to Jewish feeling was
circumcised. He accompanied the apostle on many of his journeys, and was
employed by him on important missions (1 Thess. 3:2; 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10).
. . . His name is associated with that of Paul in the opening salutations of
both epistles to the Thessalonians, the second epistle to the Corinthians, and
those to the Philippians and Colossians. He was, therefore, with Paul at Rome.
At a later date he is mentioned in Hebrews 13:23 as having undergone im-
prisonment, but as having been released."—The
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11th edition, art. "Timothy."
•
The secret of Timothy's noble life as a youth is revealed by Paul when
he later wrote to him, "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures."
2 Tim. 3:15.
4.
What reputation did Timothy bear? What precautionary measure
did Paul take lest fault be found with Timothy in his future work? Acts
16:2, 3.
NOTE.—"As a precautionary measure, Paul wisely advised Timothy to be
circumcised—not that God required it, but in order to' remove from the minds
of the Jews that which might be an objection to Timothy's ministration. In
his work Paul was to journey from city to city, in many lands, and often he
would have opportunity to preach Christ in Jewish synagogues, as well as in
other places of assembly. If it should be known that one of his companions in
labor was uncircumcised, his work might be greatly hindered by the prejudice
and bigotry of the
Jews."—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 204.
5.
As the missionaries visited the churches, what did they give them to
keep? How was their work blessed? Verses 4, 5.
6.
How was Paul specially guided in his further travels? To what place
did they finally come? Verses 6-8.
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